Bedwyn

Canal today - Kennet and Avon

The day started as it went on: gray and drizzly, although not especially cold. Before leaving our overnight mooring, Mike and Jess went to Martins to collect today's paper.

The immediate feature was a swing bridge which was not difficult, followed by three locks in quick succession.

Alice and Jess were not keen on being outside at first but later on emerged to help, especially catching ropes as we negotiated into each lock.

At the next set of three locks, Mike was left to bring the boat up and out of the lock whilst the other three walked ahead to set the next.

Mooring is never easy along this canal but there seems to have been no grass or weed cutting this year. In wet weather this guarantees soggy ends to trousers as even the grass around locks is very long. When we saw a possible place to stop for lunch we pulled in, even if one end was unusually out from the bank!

On again and by miud afternoon we arrived at Bedwyn Wharf in Great Bedwyn, next to the railway station. Here we used all of the usual facilities and checked that the car was still where it had been left a few days ago.

We had hoped to moor as close to the wharf as possible so that tomorrow we can take a trip by car. Alice has been looking at some of the options via the internet. However, the two boats that arrived just as we were about to leave our lunch stop had taken the last two spaces on the visitor moorings.

We tried to come alongside before the next lock, just beyond the wharf but could not get close enough. Instead we went up through the lock and found a place just beyond. Even so it was necessary tohacnk through very tall weeds!

Xx miles - 10 locks